Written Answers Nos. 975-994
975. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether recommendations arising from National Review Panel reviews are centrally tracked for implementation by Tusla and other relevant agencies. [39132/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
976. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any audit or independent evaluation has been conducted into the consistency of decisions taken by the National Review Panel regarding which child deaths proceed to formal review. [39133/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
977. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average timeframe for completion of National Review Panel reviews into deaths of children known to Tusla during the years 2020 to 2026. [39134/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
978. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider introducing statutory leave entitlements for individuals undergoing IVF or other fertility treatments, given the number of medical appointments involved and the financial strain currently placed on employees who must rely solely on employer discretion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39448/26]
View answerI recognise the enormous pressures that are experienced by those undergoing fertility treatment.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030, which was launched on 18 November 2025, will also inform this work. The first Action Plan under the new Strategy is currently being developed and will include actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. The Strategy also supports flexible working options and one’s right to avail of these so that both women and men are afforded greater choice in terms of how they manage the interaction between their caring and work responsibilities.
As part of the first Action Plan, the Department will be commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from severe menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding employees experiences of menstruation and menopause in the workplace and how symptoms limit their daily activities. It is planned that this study will begin later this year.
Officials in this Department are continuing to engage with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with regard to the issues raised in the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health) Bill 2021.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents.
979. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who entered State care in each of the past five years and who were classified as homeless, in emergency accommodation, or residing in family hubs at the time they entered care; and if she will provide the figures, in tabular form. [39453/26]
View answer980. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who entered State care in each of the past five years and who were classified as homeless, in emergency accommodation, or residing in family hubs at the time they entered care; and if she will provide the figures, in tabular form. [39454/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 979 and 980 together.
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
981. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases in which homelessness, insecure housing, overcrowding, or residence in emergency accommodation was identified as a contributing factor in a decision to place a child in State care during each of the past five years. [39455/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
982. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in State care whose families are recorded as homeless or residing in emergency accommodation; and if she will provide the figures by county, in tabular form. [39457/26]
View answer983. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in State care whose families are recorded as homeless or residing in emergency accommodation; and if she will provide the figures by county. [39458/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 982 and 983 together.
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
984. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of physiotherapy posts currently vacant in CDNT 9; the waiting times for children requiring physiotherapy in CDNT 9; the contingency arrangements that are in place following the reduction in service capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39484/26]
View answerAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
985. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if children attached to CDNTs who lose access to therapy because of staffing shortages can be referred to primary care physiotherapy as an interim measure; and the guidance that has issued to HSE areas on this matter. [39486/26]
View answerAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
986. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of vacancies across CDNTs nationally, broken down by discipline; the number of vacancies in CHO 2 / HSE West; and the immediate measures that are being taken to restore therapy services. [39487/26]
View answerAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
987. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the verification procedures undertaken when an unaccompanied minor communicates an intention to leave the State to join family members [39578/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
988. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tusla independently verifies the identity and location of such family members before the child is considered to have left voluntarily [39579/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
989. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the cross-border safeguarding mechanisms that are activated when a child in State care is reported missing and believed to have travelled to another jurisdiction [39580/26]
View answerThank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
990. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who went missing from SCSIP care prior to receiving an initial trafficking risk assessment in each of the past five years [39581/26]
View answerThank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
991. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures in place to ensure that all unaccompanied minors receive an immediate trafficking vulnerability assessment upon entering care [39582/26]
View answerChildren in the care of the State are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. The Department and Tusla are committed to promoting safe and high-quality practice in all areas of alternative care, including in relation to protecting this vulnerable cohort from the risk of sexual exploitation and child trafficking. A Child Trafficking Vulnerability Assessment is essential for front-line professionals to identify child victims of human trafficking, evaluate their immediate risk, and connect them with child welfare and protection services.
The Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure was developed in 2021 to assist Tusla social workers, care workers in recognising indicators of child sexual exploitation, making appropriate referrals where such concerns exist and responding to cases where children may be at risk of sexual exploitation. The procedure sets out the pathways for reporting concerns of child sexual exploitation to An Garda Síochána, for children who are in the care of Tusla, under Operation Cosnaím, and for children who reside in a community setting, through the local Garda District. As part of “Operation Cosnaím” all concerns of suspected child trafficking and/or child sexual exploitation regarding a child who is in the care of Tusla, must be notified to a centralised point in the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.
Since early 2022, Tusla has partnered with MECPATHS, a non - profit organisation which focuses specifically on the issue of child trafficking in Ireland. This collaboration is intended to raise awareness and provide front-line staff across Tusla services with training on Child Trafficking in Ireland, thus increasing the agency’s capacity to respond to this evolving area of need. Over 1,000 Tusla staff, including those working in State Care including Residential Care, Fostering and Adoption, intake and duty, and the Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children’s Team (SCSIP Service) have participated in MECPATHS workshops. Staff have also been provided with access to useful resources through the MECPATHS website, is to aid in the identification of suspected trafficking. The MECPATHS training is ongoing this year. Very recently, I met with MECPATHS to discuss their important and vital work and to discuss concerns around child trafficking.
The Department and Tusla have previously met with An Garda Síochána on child human trafficking and labour exploitation and the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024. This Act places the identification and protection of victims of human trafficking on statutory footing and expands the number of bodies that can identify a victim beyond An Garda Síochána. The National Referral Mechanism is a framework through which States fulfil their obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficking victims, working in partnership with civil society. Ireland’s new National Referral Mechanism will make it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified and access advice, accommodation, and support. The National Referral Mechanism, which is yet to commence, will name Tusla as a ‘Competent Authority.’ The establishment of the National Referral Mechanism and the timeframe for its implementation, rests with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
In relation to child trafficking and exploitation, coordination and co-operation, across Government and in the best interests of children, is essential.
992. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an exit or pre-departure safeguarding check is conducted where a child indicates an intention to leave the State. [39583/26]
View answerAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
993. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of reports made to the missing children forum regarding suspected trafficking since its establishment. [39584/26]
View answerThank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
994. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address concerns that many experienced childminders may leave the sector due to the requirement from September 2027, for home based childminders to register in order for families to access the national childcare scheme; and the measures she will take to prevent a loss of childcare capacity. [39638/26]
View answerThe regulation of childminding services is critical to the safeguarding of children. The route to registration under the new regulations requires childminders to undertake pre-registration training, as well as meeting certain regulatory requirements including Garda vetting, proof of insurance, first aid certification and child safeguarding training.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
Childminders were consulted on and involved in all aspects of the development of the regulations. Both the Steering Group for the National Action Plan for Childminding, and the Advisory Groups that have supported it, have included childminders, as well as relevant Childminding stakeholders.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft Childminding Regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland. This report has been published online and can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/
The 2024 Act, under which the timeframes are established, provides for a transition period of three years, to September 2027, after which registration is due to become mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
I am aware that the rate of registration thus far has been lower than expected. It is for that reason that I asked my officials to undertake a review of the regulations in advance of the conclusion of the transition period, to understand what barriers may exist, and to address them in a timely fashion. It is my intention that this review will commence in the coming weeks, with the outcome available later this year, with sufficient time to address any issues raised to improve rates of registration, thus benefitting parents, childminders and most importantly, children.
Supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including the short pre-registration training course. Financial supports are also available; the Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes. In 2025, the Department paid €413,338 to childminders through the Childminding Development Grant. The 2026 Childminding Development Grant opened for applications in February, and the successful awards are to be announced shortly.
I would encourage any childminder who has questions or concerns about the new regulations to contact their local Childcare Committee. The Childminding Development Officers are there to provide the most up-to-date, accurate information, and to guide and support childminders at every step of the journey.
